Best Mountain Bike Shoes: Step on to a Great Ride

(Last updated on February 14th, 2023)

Mountain biking is one of the best cycling disciplines. It gets you into nature and gives you the opportunity to explore practically anywhere on and off-road. One thing we highly recommend getting right when mountain biking is using the right equipment. Not only do we look for equipment that works well, but we also look for equipment that is good value for money and going to last.

Shoes can be very challenging to look for when it comes to mountain biking. There are not just many different types, but you also have many different brands, ways they tighten, ventilation systems, and unique features. In this article, we want to recommend some of the best mountain bike shoes, guide you on what to look for when buying mountain bike shoes, and also answer some of your most frequently asked questions.

How Do We Pick Our Mountain Bike Shoes?

When looking at mountain bike shoes, there’s more to think about than you might realize. They are very complicated as a lot goes into the design. Not only do they need to look excellent, but it has to be extremely functional too. Here’s what we look for when we look at the best mountain bike shoes on the market.

Purpose

What is the purpose of these shoes? Are they made for light trail riding? Are they made for enduro racing? Are they made for long-distance bikepacking and touring? Knowing a shoe’s purpose is vital to selecting the correct shoes.

Clip in or Normal?

Shoes also come with different systems depending on the pedaling system that you use. You get clip-in shoes that attach you directly to the pedals, and then you get shoes that are designed just to sit on the pedals themselves. It’s important to get the shoes that match the pedals you are using.

Adjustment

We also need to consider the adjustment and how the shoes grip your feet. Some will use velcro straps, some will use laces, and others will use a boas fitment. Velco being the most basic next to laces, and Boas being a much more advanced system which can pull the shoe tighter round the foot.

Comfort

As you can imagine having comfortable shoes is vital to keeping that foot pain at bay. We are always looking for shoes with good insides and padding that can keep you pain-free and enjoying lumpy trails.

Style

The first thing we look at is the style. Do the shoes look good? It’s important to like the look of your equipment, in our opinion that goes a long way to wanting to use it and also look after it. Some companies also offer different color schemes, which can match your bike, and that’s a big plus for us.

Price Point

We also feel price is very important when it comes to buying any equipment, especially shoes. We look for good technology and great materials at a reasonable price.

Hygiene and Ventilation

Finally, we have hygiene. Smelly shoes are not good for you or the people around you. A good set of mountain bike shoes will be able to ventilate well and stay smelling fairly fresh.

Shoes	Price	Style	Cleat	Material	Weight (Both)	Rating
Shimano ME7	$220	Racing	SPD	Synthetic Leather	10.8 oz	4.5/5
Sidi Trace 2 MTB	$270	Racing	SPD	Politex	14 oz	4.5/5
Pearl Izumi X-Alp	$150	Racing	SPD	EVA, TPU	24 oz	4/5
Shimano SH-XC092	$430	Racing	SPD	Synthetic / Carbon	24 oz	5/5
Ten Kestral MTB Shoes	$200	Flat Casual	SPD and Flat	Synthetic / Ortholite	24 oz	4.5/5
Ride Concept Women Flume	$190	Flat Casual	Flat only	EVA Rubber	24 oz	4.5/5
Crank Bros Speedlace	$169	Flat Casual	SPD and Flat	Synthetic / MC1	31 oz	5/5
Ride Concepts Tallac	$160	Flat Casual	Flat only	EVA / Nylon / Rubber / TPU	26 oz	4.5/5

Mountain Bike Shoes Buyer’s Guide

Just say none of these shoes takes your fancy, what do you need to look for when it comes to buying mountain bike shoes? In this next part, we’ll tell you everything you need to think about when finding the right mountain bike shoes for you.

Looks

The look of a shoe is very important. You have to like what you’re wearing, or if not, you will either not want to wear them or replace them later in time. Mountain bike shoes come in many different designs and styles, and there’s something for everyone. Aim to buy a shoe that you like the look of.

Size

The next thing you need to make sure of is that they have your correct size shoes. If you get shoes that are too big, they will be uncomfortable, and you risk slipping. If you get shoes that are too small, you’ll be in a lot of pain using them. Most shops will offer a return service or size swap, providing they haven’t been used while out riding or had cleats attached.

Retention System

The retention system is also very important when it comes to shoes. Some shoes have velcro which is cheaper and quick to use but doesn’t pull the shoe as tight as you might need. Then you have laces, which hold the shoes together excellently but take time to take on and off and get very messy. The ultimate being the boa fitment which is a turning dial which pulls the whole shoes round the foot but does make them more expensive.

Sole

The sole of the shoe is another concern you might have. A racing shoe will have a stiff lightweight carbon sole which can aid you in power transfer greatly but does come at a much higher cost and isn’t ideal for high impact landings. Then you have plastic soles which are heavier but come in a lot cheap and have a better level of flexibility when landing big jumps.

Durability

It’s also important to pick a mountain biking shoe that is very durable if you plan on going on some very rough terrain. A common phrase in mountain biking is hike a bike. This means having to walk up or down a climb because it’s too difficult to ride. If you plan to go to these extremes we recommend picking a tough shoe with a thick bottom with a lot of tread on it.

Type of Riding

The type of riding you plan to do goes a long way when it comes to getting the right shoes. If you are planning on racing or pushing yourself to the limits, you will want a shoe that reflects that. Racing shoes are lighter, better ventilated, have a very stiff sole, and offer much better power transfer than casual shoes. You might want casual shoes for exploring nature and relaxed riding with coffee stops that will offer more comfort, better protect your feet, and make walking easier. Think about the kind of riding you want to do before picking the shoe.

Materials

You will also want to think about materials too. The materials that are used in a shoe will give it certain characteristics. For example, a carbon sole will make it very stiff and give a shoeless comfort but better power transfer. A rubber sole shoe will offer more comfort and brace an impact better, but it will weigh much more and have more flexibility. Looking into the materials of a shoe does really help you understand what experience it will give you.

Cost

When it comes to shoes, spending a good amount goes a long way. You don’t have to spend $400 for a good set but spending above $100 will give you a very high-quality shoe that will last year after year. Cheaper shoes under $50, although they might seem ok to try on, but they will eventually get into your feet on those longer rides and also just don’t tend to last very long, maybe a season or two max.

Conclusion

When it comes to mountain biking shoes are a piece of equipment you want to ensure that you get right. The wrong shoes can cause foot pain, affect your performance, and also completely put you off wanting to ride your bike. We hope you enjoyed our article and found a set of shoes that are perfect for your riding.

Frequently Asked Questions

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